Risperdal Lawsuit Results in Big Win Against Johnson & Johnson

Risperdal Lawsuit Results in Big Win Against Johnson & Johnson

On February 25, 2015, a jury in Philadelphia told pharmaceutical powerhouse Johnson & Johnson that they needed to be held accountable for the damage it caused a young man. The plaintiff, an autistic boy, had taken Risperdal in 2002. As a result of his taking the medication–an antipsychotic medication–the young man developed gynecomastia which is abnormal development of breasts in males. This young man developed size 46 DD breasts. The jury awarded $2.5 million dollars in compensatory damages.

This is the first lawsuit claiming Johnson & Johnson hid the risks of gynecomastia. David Kessler, the former commissioner of the FDA, testified on behalf of the family as an expert witness. He told the jurors that the company knew of the risks and knew that there was enough data showing that young boys could develop breasts.

Risperdal is an antipsychotic drug approved by the FDA in 1993. It is used by doctors to treat adults suffering from schizophrenia. Three years later in 2006 the FDA announced that it could be taken by adolescents and children for treatment of: autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and related behavioral conditions.

Our firm is currently investigating cases involving Risperdal and the development of gynecomastia. If you would like to speak with us for a free private consultation please contact us.